Grapes In Grappa With Mascarpone Recipes

GRAPPA MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Beat cream while slowly adding sugar until firm peaks form.
• In a separate bowl, beat the mascarpone. Add the whipped cream and grappa, blending well.
• To serve, slice each cake into six pieces and place on a dessert plate. Place persimmon wedges around the cake. Place about a tablespoon of mascarpone cream on each plate.

GRAPES IN GRAPPA WITH MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Cut 2 1/2 cups grapes in half; place in bowl. Add 1/3 cup grappa. Let stand at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Purée remaining 1 1/2 cups grapes in processor. Transfer to strainer set over bowl. Press on solids in strainer to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids in strainer. Transfer 1/2 cup grape juice to medium bowl (reserve any remaining juice for another use). Add remaining 2 tablespoons grappa, mascarpone, powdered sugar and 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon peel to bowl with grape juice; whisk until well blended. (Grapes and sweetened mascarpone can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Divide mascarpone mixture among 6 glasses. Top with grape mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon lemon peel and serve.

ROASTED GRAPE BROWN BUTTER CROSTATA WITH CARAMEL SAUCE, MASCARPONE AND VIN SANTO

Steps:

• For the dough: To the bowl of a food processor, add the butter, flour, granulated sugar, salt and lemon zest. Pulse until it resembles coarse sand. Add the egg yolk and a tablespoon of water. Pulse until the mixture forms a crumbly dough, but holds its shape when pinched. (If too crumbly, add a little bit more water.)
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface. Knead very lightly until the dough comes together. Pat into a disc, then roll into a 1/4-inch-thick circle, turning the dough regularly and flouring as needed to ensure it doesn't stick.
• Spray six 4-inch ring molds with the nonstick spray. Cut out 4 dough rounds slightly larger than 4 inches, then transfer a piece of dough to the center of each ring mold, bringing it up the edges to make a rustic tart crust. Slide a spatula underneath to transfer to a half-sheet tray lined with parchment paper. Place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Brown the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cooking until it is light brown in color and smells nutty. Transfer the browned butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Turn on the mixer and gradually add the flour. Add 3 eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the sides and mix to combine.
• Remove the dough from the fridge. Fill the tarts evenly with the filling and top with the grapes. Make an egg wash by beating the remaining egg in a bowl with a bit of water and brush the crusts. Sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• To finish: Add the vin santo and lemon juice to a medium saute pan. Turn on the heat to medium-low and reduce until thick and caramel-like, 5 to 6 minutes. Carefully add the heavy cream and swirl the pan to incorporate. Allow the mixture to come back to a boil, then lower the heat add the butter one pat at a time.
• Spoon the mascarpone into quenelles (little oblong dollops) and place on a sheet tray lined with parchment. Place in the fridge to chill for 10 to 15 minutes.
• To plate: Spoon a bit of vin santo caramel on the bottom of a plate and dot with the vin cotto. Place the crostata down and top with a mascarpone quenelle. Garnish with thyme leaves and powdered sugar. Repeat to make 5 more servings.

GORGONZOLA AND GRAPE SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing: Place red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and garlic cloves in a blender and pulse on high speed. Add the shallots and slowly incorporate the extra-virgin olive oil while blender is on high speed. Finish seasoning with black pepper and allow the dressing to sit for 24 hours, refrigerated, before using.
• For the candied garlic: Coat a sheet pan with oil for the finished garlic. Place the garlic and water in a large saute pan over medium to high heat. Boil the cloves until they are cooked through but still firm to the touch and still maintain their shape. This takes about 8 minutes. By this time the water should be all the way or close to being evaporated. At this point, add the sugar in with the garlic cloves and continue to cook over medium heat while stirring occasionally. After a couple of minutes the sugar will begin to caramelize. At this point it is important that the garlic be stirred constantly so they become evenly coated with the caramelized sugar. Continue to caramelize the garlic until golden to dark golden brown. This process happens very quickly so stay alert. Turn the garlic out onto the greased sheet pan and cool.
• For the salad: Place the grapes, Gorgonzola and candied garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of dressing. You want enough dressing in the bowl to fully saturate the cheese and grape mixture. Add the lettuce and toss your salad. Taste for seasoning.

MASCARPONE AND GRAPE PUFF PASTRY BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Unfold puff pastry and cut into 3 equal pieces along the fold. Roll each sheet out slightly. Using a 2 1/2-inch cutter, cut 4 rounds out of each strip, giving you 12 rounds total. Using a 1 1/2-inch cutter, press into each round, making a solid indentation without cutting completely through the pastry.
• Place rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with a baking rack. This will keep the rounds uniform and even as they puff up during baking. Bake until rounds are golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Using the tip of a spoon, carefully remove the inner circle of the puff pastry creating a nest. Fill each nest with 1 teaspoon of the bacon bits and top with 2 teaspoons of the mascarpone. Garnish with grape halves and a sprinkle of parsley. Serve on individual plates or a serving platter.